Loyal, Brave & True

Chapter 28

After him passing out, Wuxian dreamt of the sweet memories he had as a child. When the world was still bright and nothing bad ever occurred. When he and his siblings were carefree, laughing and there was no conflict or such deep hatred. No regrets or pain, no innocent blood of loved ones staining his hands.

But then he woke up, in a room filled with the familiar cloud sigil and the colours of white and baby blue all around him. The best part was Wangji playing a specific melody the two of them knew, on his guqin.

After a small talk and realising he was not only safe but he had someone who searched for him, he slept at ease. The next morning, Wangji was gone and he was free to roam the empty sect. He was in an area of the sect that was not so populated and knowing Wangji, he had kept it closed in order to have their privacy.

As he walked, he remembered the good times he had there. Those happy memories caused his heart to ache with each beat, knowing they would never exist again. Sometimes, he wondered what he could have changed to prevent the dark path everyone followed. To keep those memories and good moments clean, untouched and forever happy.

His train of thoughts came to a halt when he stopped in front of the Pavilion Library. He remembered how he had teased Wangji there, back then when the famous Jade was not so open or protective of him. They really had come a long way.

Opening one of the doors, he was surprised to see Jia sitting there. She had different books open and was busy writing or copying, her face filled with concentration. One hand keeping the sleeves of her white robes back in order not to be stained by the ink.

Seeing her now, she was a very different person.

With her back straight, her body clothed with the white disciple colours, only hers having a few faint hues of light blue to indicate her bloodline. On her headband, the golden cloud reflected the morning light that entered inside. Her black hair was long and taken care of. Caught in the way every Lan member should have, using a white ribbon and having not a single strand amiss.

However, there was one thing that stood out amongst the others. A golden ornament for the hair, sticking to the side of her perfectly made bun. That ornament with a small jade hanging from the side was something he was familiar with. It was passed down, from heir to heir in the Lei Clan.

Her mother wore it at all times, even after marriage. And it was no simple ornament either, made from solid gold and shaped into a small blade that could be used in times of emergency. Thinking of her mother, his face dropped as he recalled the discussion he had with Wangji the night prior.

He sat comfortably on the bed, listening to the music of Wangji. His mind was at ease after hearing that Wangji had searched for him after he died and that he had been saved by him once again. Then his mind went to the one person he had not seen yet, Jia.

"So, Jia. Took me a while to connect the dots. But now Lan Zhan, you are an uncle. And in a way, so am I" he found a smile on his lips, realizing that they had grown indeed.
"Yes" was the man's only reply, as he focused on playing the song that brought peace into the room and eased the spirits.

"Where is Lei Zhouan? I expected her to be the first one to greet me" he said with a toothy grin, feeling like the young boy when he first met her.

The powerful clan leader with the unbreakable spirit, defending him like a mother and sister figure in the toughest of times. The woman who bore a smile amongst friends and a warrior's mask on the battlefield.

He could easily recall how he humiliated Wen Chao in front of everyone, how she always backed him and Wangji; looking after them until the very end. The day she had appeared at his doorstep, pregnant and bringing seeds and food for him and the Wen people he had saved.